Fingertip Oximeter and a Method for Observing a Measurement Result Thereon

ABSTRACT

There is provided a fingertip oximeter that has a plurality of display modes which are presented sequentially in a circulating way, allowing users to easily observe a measurement result from any of surrounding directions. The present invention makes users to be able to observe a measurement result of the fingertip oximeter from any of surrounding directions, without the need of bending his/her finger. Thus, any partial occlusion of the arterial blood capillary can be avoided, so that strength of the pulse will not decrease, and strength of the signal will not be affected. As a result, the precision of the measurement is improved.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fingertip oximeter, and moreparticularly, to a fingertip oximeter allowing observation of ameasurement result displayed thereon from any of surrounding directions.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method forallowing observation of a measurement result of the fingertip oximeterfrom any of surrounding directions.

In the third aspect, the present invention relates to a fingertipoximeter that reports a measurement result through a voice, informingthe user and others nearby of the result.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The fingertip oximeter, widely used for measuring the oxyhemoglobin andpulse, employs a non-invasive measurement technology.

The fingertip oximeter runs in such a way that it determines theoxyhemoglobins number and pulse rate by measuring the absorption ratefor a selected wavelength of light wave. In particular, a beam of lightfrom a photoelectric light emitter is arranged to pass through theorganism tissue of the user, and is converted to an electrical signalafter being detected by a light receiver. Thereby, an oxygen saturationlevel (i.e. SpO2) of arterial blood flowing through the finger of theuser is obtained and presented on a display of the oximeter.

In the prior art, however, the user can observe a measurement result inonly one direction. When observing the result, the user has to bendhis/her finger to properly observe the displayed information if it isnot easy to read. But bending the finger may lead to partial occlusionof arterial blood capillary so that the strength of pulse will decreaseand the strength of signal is weakened. As a result, the precision ofmeasurement falls.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a fingertip oximeterallowing observation of a measurement result thereon from any ofsurrounding directions, in which when observing the result, the userdoes not to bend his/her finger to properly observe the displayedinformation even if it is not easy to read, so as to avoid the partialocclusion of arterial blood capillary, thus to prevent from any decreaseof the strength of pulse and further prevent from any decrease of thestrength of signal, as a result, the precision of measurement can beimproved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forallowing observation of a measurement result of a fingertip oximeterfrom any of surrounding directions.

The further object of the present invention is to provide a fingertipoximeter that can report a measurement result through a voice, informingthe user and others nearby of the measurement result.

Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a fingertip oximeter characterized in that it has a pluralityof display modes which are sequentially presented in a circulating way,allowing a user to easily observe a measurement result from any ofsurrounding directions.

Preferably, one of the display modes is switched to the next by pressinga button manually, or they are switched automatically.

Preferably, the display mode refers to a pattern of presenting ameasurement result, or a pattern of presenting a combination of aheading and a measurement result; and the heading is presented in anupright standing or upside-down standing way.

Preferably, the measurement result comprises a measurement parameter, ameasurement parameter and a pulse column, or a measurement parameter anda waveform; the measurement parameter can be presented in a landscapeupright standing, a portrait right laying way, a landscape upside-downstanding way, or a portrait left laying way.

Preferably, the fingertip oximeter comprises a signal drive unit, asignal acquisition & amplification unit, a power supply unit forsupplying power to the fingertip oximeter, buttons, a central processingunit, and a display, in which the buttons are adapted to input aninstruction for updating a display mode of the fingertip oximeter; thecentral processing unit is adapted to determine whether any button ispressed down, upon such an operation is detected, to set a new displaymode and update the display mode in use with the new one, and totransmit a signal regarding the new display mode to the display; and thedisplay is adapted to receive the signal regarding the new display modefrom the central processing unit, and present the measurement result inthe new display mode.

Preferably, the central processing unit at least comprises a press scanunit, a switching & setting unit, and a display update unit, in whichthe press scan unit is adapted to determine whether any button ispressed down, and upon such an operation is detected, to transmit afirst signal regarding the operation to the switching & setting unit;the switching & setting unit is adapted to receive the first signal fromthe press scan unit, set a new display mode in consideration of thedisplay mode in use, and transmit a second signal regarding the newdisplay mode to which the display mode in use is to be switched to thedisplay update unit; and the display update unit is adapted to receivethe second signal from the switching & setting unit, update the displaymode in use, and transmit a third signal regarding the new display modeto the display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for allowing observation of a measurement result of afingertip oximeter from any of surrounding directions, characterized inthat the method comprises the following steps of: 1) inputting aninstruction for updating a display mode of the fingertip oximeter inuse; 2) switching and updating the display mode in use to a new displaymode, and transmitting a signal regarding the new display mode to adisplay after the instruction is detected; and 3) displaying ameasurement result in the new display mode after the display receivesthe signal on updating the display mode in use.

Preferably, the step 2) further comprises the sub-steps of detecting theinstruction for updating the display mode in use; setting a new displaymode to which the display mode in use is to be switched; and updatingthe display mode in use with the new display mode, and transmitting asignal regarding the new display mode to a display.

Preferably, the display mode refers to a pattern of presenting ameasurement result, or a pattern of presenting a combination of aheading and a measurement result; and the heading is presented in anupright standing or upside-down standing way.

Preferably, the measurement result comprises a measurement parameter, ameasurement parameter and a pulse column, or a measurement parameter anda waveform; the measurement parameter is presented in a landscapeupright standing, a portrait right laying way, a landscape upside-downstanding way, or a portrait left laying way.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a fingertip oximeter that can reports a measurement resultthrough a voice to the user and others nearby.

According to the present invention, the user can easily observe ameasurement result of the fingertip oximeter from any of surroundingdirections, without the need of bending his/her finger when observingthe measurement result, which avoids partial occlusion of arterial bloodcapillary due to bended finger, thus, prevents from decrease of thestrength of pulse, so does not weaken the strength of signal, so as toimprove the precision of measurement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1F are schematic views of different display modes of theoximeter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the oximeter according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of updating a display mode of the oximeteraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail incombination with the drawings below.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display of theoximeter is an organic light emitting display (OLED), which is a 64×128dot array monochrome display. The color of the first 16 rows of thedisplay is configured as yellow, while that of the other 48 rows isconfigured as blue in the embodiment. But different displays anddisplaying patterns may be applied.

In practice, the display mode usually refers to a pattern in which ameasurement result or a combination of a heading and a measurementresult is presented. The way in which the heading is presented could beset to upright standing or upside-down standing as required. Landscapeor portrait appearance is also available.

The measurement result comprises a measurement parameter, a measurementparameter and a pulse column, or a measurement parameter and a waveform.The way in which the measurement parameter is presented includeslandscape upright standing, portrait right laying, landscape upside-downstanding, or portrait left laying. The way in which the pulse column ispresented includes the pulse column's left display, center display, orright display. The way in which the waveform is presented could be solidstanding or outlined standing as required. Landscape or portraitappearance is also available.

The above described display options can be used in combination accordingto the situation of usage.

In this embodiment, the display mode refers to the way in which theheading and the measurement result are presented.

In this embodiment, the display screen is divided into a heading areaand a parameter area. The heading area occupies the top 16 rows as ayellow block, while the parameter area fills the following 48 rows as ablue block. Characters in the heading area can only be displayed with acertain height, and in an upright standing or upside-down standingappearance. The height of characters in the parameter area is not fixed.Some graphics or waveforms can also be displayed in the parameter area.In this area, characters can be displayed in an upright standing, anupside-down standing, a left laying, or a right laying appearance.

Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1F, six display modes are illustrated in anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1A, in Mode 0, the heading (SPO2% and PR) is displayedin a landscape upright standing way, measurement parameters (98 and 80)are displayed in a landscape upright standing way, and a pulse column isdisplayed in a landscape left standing way. Here, the pulse column isadapted to indicate strength of pulse.

Referring to FIG. 1B, in Mode 1, the heading (PR and SPO2%), measurementparameters (80 and 98), and the pulse column are respectively displayedin a portrait upright standing way, a portrait right laying way, and acentered standing way.

Referring to FIG. 1C, in Mode 2, the heading (SPO2% and PR), measurementparameters (98 and 80), and the pulse column are respectively displayedin a landscape upside-down standing way, a landscape upside-downstanding way, and a right standing way.

Referring to FIG. 1D, in Mode 3, the heading (SPO2% and PR) is displayedin a landscape upright standing way, measurement parameters (98 and 80)are displayed in a portrait left laying way, and the pulse column isdisplayed in a centered standing way.

Referring to FIG. 1E, in Mode 4, the heading (SPO2% and PR) is displayedin a landscape upright standing way, measurement parameters (98 and 80)are displayed in a landscape upright standing way, and a landscape solidwaveform is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 1F, in Mode 5, the heading (SPO2% and PR) is displayedin a landscape upright standing way, measurement parameters (98 and 80)are displayed in a landscape upright standing way, and a landscapeoutlined waveform is displayed.

When the fingertip oximeter is powered on and initialized, the operatingmodes and parameters of the display are set up. At the beginning ofmeasurement, the display mode is set to 0 initially.

Referring to FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, as the central processing unit (CPU) 12 detects that thebutton 11 is pressed down for one time, the display mode is updatedonce. When the button 11 is pressed down again, the display mode is alsoupdated again. Each time the button 11 is pressed down, the display modeis switched from Mode 0 to Mode 5 one by one and then to go back to Mode0 to continue the next cycle again. Therefore, the measurement resultcan be easily observed from any of surrounding directions.

These six display modes form only one embodiment of the presentinvention. Other display modes are also possible in practice accordingto the present invention. For example, the central processing unit 12can be configured to automatically update the display mode sequentiallyfrom Mode 0 to Mode 5 one by one and then back to Mode 0 to repeat thenext cycle at a specific interval, so that the measurement result of thefingertip oximeter can be easily observed from any of surroundingdirections. The interval can be predetermined as required to make thedisplay cycle time of the modes faster or slower.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention,the fingertip oximeter can be integrated with the voice makingtechnology from prior art, speaking any number corresponding to themeasurement result, to automatically report the measurement resultthrough a voice. Consequently, the user and others nearby can beinformed of that result directly, making the users more conveniently touse the fingertip oximeter.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fingertip oximeter based on one embodiment ofthe present invention comprises a signal drive unit 14, a signalacquisition & amplification unit 15, a power supply units 16 and 17 forsupplying power to the fingertip oximeter, a central processing unit 12,a display 13, and buttons 11. The buttons 11 for inputting aninstruction to update a display mode of the oximeter are connected withthe power supply unit for activating the power supply unit to supplypower to the oximeter. The central processing unit 12 is adapted todetermine whether any button 11 is pressed down, set a new display modeto which the display mode in use is to be switched in response topressing-down of the button 11, update the display mode in use, andtransmit a signal regarding the new display mode to the display 13. Thedisplay 13 is adapted to receive the signal regarding the new displaymode from the central processing unit 12, and display the measurementresult in the updated display mode.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal driveunit 14 and the signal acquisition & amplification unit 15 can be madeuse of prior art.

Referring to FIG. 2, the central processing unit 12 at least comprises apress scan unit 121, a switching & setting unit 122, and a displayupdate unit 123. The press scan unit 121 is adapted to determine whetherany button 11 is pressed down, and transmit a first signal regardingpressing-down of the button 11 to the switching & setting unit 122 inresponse to pressing-down of the button 11. The switching & setting unit122 is adapted to receive the first signal from the press scan unit 121,set a new display mode to which the display mode in use is to beswitched, and transmit a second signal regarding the new display mode tothe display update unit 123. The display update unit 123 is adapted toreceive the second signal regarding the new display mode from theswitching & setting unit 122, update the display mode in use with thenew display mode, and transmit a third signal regarding the new displaymode to the display 13.

The signal drive unit 14, under control of the central processing unit12, is adapted to make a light emitter emit a beam of light. The signalacquisition & amplification unit 15 is adapted to receive the lightpassing through the measured tissue, convert it to an electric signal,and transmit the electric signal to the central processing unit 12.

In this embodiment, the power supply unit includes a power input unit 16and a power output & management unit 17. The button 11 and the powerinput unit 16 are connected with the power output & management unit 17respectively.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the centralprocessing unit 12 makes use of a C8051F007 chip available from CYGNALCorporation, which has a 2304-byte data memory, a 32K FLASH memory, a4-channel 12-bit A/D (Analog/Digital) converter, a 2-channel 12-bit D/A(Digital/Analog) converter, 2 comparators, a on-board 2.4V voltagereference, a on-board clock source, and a 4-channel 16-bitcounter/timer.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display 13 isan OLED for presenting the measurement result. The I/O (Input/Output)interface of the central processing unit 12 is driven directly.

In this embodiment, the power input unit 16 consists of two AAA alkalinebatteries or rechargeable batteries, providing a voltage of 2.3 to 3.3V.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the output of thepower output & management unit 17 is +3.3V and +8V. When turning off,the power input can be disconnected so that the output of the powersupply becomes 0V.

The power output of 2.3V to 3.3V is converted to a 3.3V and 8V outputthrough a MT1860 power chip. The maximum power output is 400 mA, with afrequency of 1 MHz in PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) mode.

The power management is carried out by using the button or I/O output.When the button 11 is pressed down, the voltage output is +3.3V. Thecentral processing unit 12 takes over power control and outputs avoltage of +8V if it detects that the button 11 is pressed down.

The power supply works as usual after releasing the button 11. If themaster chip cannot detect any data for 8 seconds, the system is shutdown, being in the sate of turning off.

If it detects that the voltage input is as low as lower than +2.7V, thena low-battery-voltage alert is displayed to prevent the input powersupply from damage.

After the button 11 is pressed down, a low level signal or a high levelsignal is generated, and an interrupt is further made, so the centralprocessing unit 12 is aware of the fact that the button 11 is pressingdown in this way. The central processing unit 12 then sets a new displaymode and switches current display mode to the new display mode.

The central processing unit (CPU) 12 may make use of a chip other thanthat described above. In addition, the analog comparison input involvedin this embodiment for transmitting information regarding pressing-downthe button 11 to the central processing unit 12 can be replaced with anI/O interface input or an interrupt interface input.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor observing a measurement result of a fingertip oximeter, comprisingthe following steps of: step 1) inputting an instruction for updating adisplay mode of the fingertip oximeter in use; step 2) switching andupdating the display mode in use and transmit a signal regarding a newdisplay mode to a display of the fingertip oximeter after detecting theinstruction; and step 3) presenting a measurement result in the updatednew display mode after the display receives the signal regarding the newdisplay mode.

Preferably, step 2) further comprises the following sub-steps ofdetecting the instruction for updating the display mode of the fingertipoximeter in use, setting a new display mode to which the display mode inuse is to be switched; updating the display mode in use with the newdisplay mode, and transmitting a signal regarding the new display modeto the display.

Now, a method for observing a measurement result of the fingertipoximeter from any of surrounding directions is described according toone embodiment the present invention. The method comprises such stepsthat step 1) the user inputs an instruction for updating a display modeof the fingertip oximeter in use by pressing the button 11 down; step 2)the central processing unit 12 sets a new display mode to which thedisplay mode in use is to be switched, updates the display mode in usewith the new display mode, and transmits a signal regarding the newdisplay mode to the display 13 after detecting pressing-down of thebutton 11; and step 3) the display 13 receives the signal regarding thenew display mode to be presented from the central processing unit 12,and presents a measurement result in the updated new mode.

Preferably, step 2) further comprises such sub-steps that the press scanunit 121 determines whether the button 11 is pressed down, and transmitsa first signal regarding pressing-down of the button 11 to the switching& setting unit 122 if it detects that the button 11 is pressed down; theswitching & setting unit 122 receives the first signal from the pressscan unit 121, and sets a new display mode to which the display mode inuse is to be switched, and transmits a second signal regarding the newdisplay mode to the display update unit 123; and the display update unit123 receives the second signal from the switching & setting unit 122,updates the display mode in use, and transmits a third signal regardingthe new display mode to the display 13.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 1A to 1F, the method is further describedbelow with the example of the foregoing six display modes.

When the fingertip oximeter is in off status, it will be turned on ifthe button 11 is pressed down for the first time. And then, thefingertip oximeter is automatically powered on and initialized. Theinitial display mode is set to Mode 0.

From then on, once the central processing unit 12 detects that thebutton 11 is pressed down, the display mode will be updated. If thebutton 11 is pressed down again, the display mode is switched to anothernew display mode. In this way, the display mode is switched from Mode 0to Mode 5 one by one and return the initial Mode 0 again, and then to bein the next cycle. Thus, the measurement result can be easily observedfrom any of surrounding directions.

In particular, the press scan unit 121 of the central processing unit 12determines whether the button 11 is pressed down at a specific interval.If the button 11 has not yet been pressed down, the display update unit123 and a blood oxygen parameters & waveform processing unit willcontinue to try to detect it again and again in the same way as that ofprior art. Once it is detected that the button 11 is pressed down, afirst signal regarding its pressing-down is transmitted to the switching& setting unit 122 to be processed; the switching & setting unit 122receives the first signal detected by the press scan unit 121, performsa specific counting operation, filters noise signals resulted from thebutton's trembling, sets a new display mode (Mode 1) to replace theoriginal display mode (Mode 0), initializes the screen of the displaywith the new display mode, and transmits a second signal regarding thenew display mode (Mode 1) to the display update unit 123; the displayupdate unit 123 checks the display update flag at a specific interval,and displays a measurement result on the display 13 in the new displaymode (Mode 1) if any parameters and waveforms are updated.

In this embodiment, the display mode is changed to Mode 1 if the button11 is pressed down for the first time, to Mode 2 if the button 11 ispressed down for the second time, and so on.

The changing sequence of display modes is not fixed. The sequence ofdisplay modes can be adjusted to satisfy specific needs. In addition,other display modes can be added to make a comprehensive set of displaymodes.

With the present invention, the user can easily observe a measurementresult from any of surrounding directions, without the need of bendinghis/her finger, so the precision of measurement is guaranteed.

All embodiments described above are illustrative, not restrictive forthe present invention.

Although the present invention has been described in severalembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention can be modified or improved in these or those ways,without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventionindicated by the appended claims.

1. A fingertip oximeter comprising a plurality of display modes whichare capable to be presented one by one in a circulating way, allowingusers to be convenient to observe a measurement result from any ofsurrounding directions, characterized in that the fingertip oximeter hasa manually pressing button for updating the display mode in use; andeach display mode has a heading area and a parameter area, in which thecharacters in the heading area are presented in an upright standing wayor in an upside-down standing way, while the parameter area is providedto show a measurement parameter, a pulse column, and/or a waveform in anupright standing way, in a right laying way, in an upside-down standingway, or in a left laying way.
 2. A fingertip oximeter according to claim1, characterized in that the fingertip oximeter at least has such sixdisplay modes that in Mode 0, the heading is displayed in a landscapeupright standing way, measurement parameters are displayed in alandscape upright standing way, and a pulse column for indicating thestrength of pulse is displayed in a landscape left standing way; in Mode1, the heading, measurement parameters, and the pulse column arerespectively displayed in a portrait upright standing way, a portraitright laying way, and a centered standing way; in Mode 2, the heading,measurement parameters, and the pulse column are respectively displayedin a landscape upside-down standing way, a landscape upside-downstanding way, and a right standing way; in Mode 3, the heading isdisplayed in a landscape upright standing way, measurement parametersare displayed in a portrait left laying way, and the pulse column isdisplayed in a centered standing way; in Mode 4, the heading isdisplayed in a landscape upright standing way, measurement parametersare displayed in a landscape upright standing way, and a landscape solidwaveform is displayed; and in Mode 5, the heading is displayed in alandscape upright standing way, measurement parameters are displayed ina landscape upright standing way, and a landscape outlined waveform isdisplayed.
 3. A fingertip oximeter according to claim 1, characterizedin that the fingertip oximeter has a means for reporting the measurementresult through a voice, thus informing the user and others nearby of themeasurement result.
 4. A fingertip oximeter according to claim 1,characterized in that the fingertip oximeter comprises at least onebutton which is adapted to input an instruction for updating a displaymode of the fingertip oximeter in use; a central processing unit whichis adapted to determine whether any button is pressed down, upon such anoperation is detected, set a new display mode and update the displaymode in use with the new one, and transmit a signal regarding the newdisplay mode to the display; a display which is adapted to receive thesignal regarding the new display mode from the central processing unit,and present the measurement result in the new display mode; a signaldrive unit which is adapted to make a light emitter emit a beam of lightunder control of the central processing unit; a signal acquisition &amplification unit which is adapted to receive the light passing throughthe measured tissue, convert it to an electric signal, and transmit theelectric signal to the central processing unit; and a power supply unit,for supplying power to the fingertip oximeter, which includes a powerinput unit and a power output & management unit, and the button and thepower input unit are connected with the power output & management unitrespectively.
 5. A fingertip oximeter according to claim 4,characterized in that the central processing unit at least comprises apress scan unit, a switching & setting unit, and a display update unit,in which the press scan unit is adapted to determine whether any buttonis pressed down, and upon such an operation is detected, transmit afirst signal regarding the operation to the switching & setting unit;the switching & setting unit is adapted to receive the first signal fromthe press scan unit, set a new display mode in consideration of thedisplay mode in use, and transmit a second signal regarding the newdisplay mode to which the display mode in use is to be switched to thedisplay update unit, and the display update unit is adapted to receivethe second signal from the switching & setting unit, update the displaymode in use, and transmit a third signal regarding the new display modeto the display.
 6. A method for observing a measurement result of thefingertip oximeter from any of surrounding directions, characterized inthat the method comprises such steps that step 1) the user inputs aninstruction for updating a display mode of the fingertip oximeter in useby pressing a button down; step 2) the central processing unit sets anew display mode to which the display mode in use is to be switched,updates the display mode in use with the new display mode, and transmitsa signal regarding the new display mode to the display after detectingpressing-down of the button; and step 3) the display receives the signalregarding the new display mode to be presented from the centralprocessing unit, and presents a measurement result in the updated newmode, in which step 2) further comprises such sub-steps that the pressscan unit determines whether the button is pressed down, and transmits afirst signal regarding pressing-down of the button to the switching &setting unit if it detects that the button is pressed down; theswitching & setting unit receives the first signal from the press scanunit, and sets a new display mode to which the display mode in use is tobe switched, and transmits a second signal regarding the new displaymode to the display update unit; and the display update unit receivesthe second signal from the switching & setting unit, updates the displaymode in use, and transmits a third signal regarding the new display modeto the display.
 7. A method for observing a measurement result of thefingertip oximeter from any of surrounding directions according to claim6, characterized in that the method comprises such steps that thefingertip oximeter reports the measurement result through a voice, thusinforms the user and others nearby of the measurement result.